“On the announcement that our President intends to ‘invoke’ the Hague ruling on his next visit to China, let us salute him and assure him of the support of all Filipinos,” former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario said in a statement on the announcement that President Rodrigo Duterte will be invoking the arbitral ruling on West Philippine Sea when he visits China this month.

“I asked him and he (President Duterte) said, ‘that was our agreement with the President of China. Remember that I said before that there will be a time when I will invoke that arbitral ruling. This is the time, that’s why I’m going there,’” Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo on August 6.

“In other words, it’s about China and Philippines issues. ‘Di ba sinabi niya before the end of my term. He is also interested in that 60-40 joint exploration of minerals, oils, pag-uusapan nila ‘yun,” he added.